Are you ready to pop the question? Going big on a birthday gift? Whatever the occasion, diamonds are seriously spendy and buying one can be stressful. Here's how to find a rock with all of the gain and none of the pain.

Buying a diamond is a big investment, so you don't want to get hosed. To avoid getting stuck with an under-qualified salesperson, go to a jeweler who's an Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) and a member of jewelry industry groups like the American Gem Society (AGS) and American Gem Trade Association (AGTA). Jeweler titles such as Registered Jeweler (RJ), Certified Gemologist (CG), and Certified Gemologist Appraiser (CGA) are also distinctions to look for while shopping. Go to gia.edu to find out more about credible jewelry groups and accredited jewelers.

For a lot of us, a diamond purchase is synonymous with getting married. In 2006, 84% of brides received a diamond engagement ring and grooms spent an average of one month's salary, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Diamond Information Center. For such a big investment, you want to know your money is being spent on the real deal and not a fake. Ask your jeweler for the Gemological Institute of America grading report on the stone you choose. This report analyzes the diamond's quality, blueprints the characteristics of the diamond, and tests its authenticity.

Understanding the quality of a diamond can be confusing, but there is a helpful system. The diamond industry uses several factors to judge quality, called the four C's, which refer to Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat.

• The Cut gives shape to each stone and manipulates light.
• The Color refers to shades of the stone, which range from colorless to yellow or brown -- the slightest tint varies its value.
• The Clarity of a diamond is judged by its blemishes. Diamonds are ranked from 0 to 10, with 0 being flawless.
• Carat is a measuring unit that equals 1/5 of a gram, or about the same weight as a paper clip.

All four C's are factored into value. Just because it may be a larger stone doesn't mean it's a higher quality diamond. Go to americangemsociety.org for more info.

Beyond the science and romance of diamonds lies conflict. Since the film Blood Diamond introduced mass audiences to the disturbing origins of many diamonds, checking the sources of your gemstone has become more common and important to buyers. Ask about the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to ensure your diamond comes from a conflict-free market. Visit the Diamond Buyer's Guide for more on a conflict-free diamond purchase at amnestyusa.org. Requirements must be met for each stone purchase, and you can ask for that guarantee directly from your jeweler.

Does a bride find her wedding dress in just one visit? Or a car shopper the best deal after one test drive? No way! So why make just one visit to the jeweler? Sale prices, credit options, and availability differ at every location, so take some time to browse. Look at debeers.com and tiffany.com for the elite diamonds, and then search your grade/price section. Also, spend time scouring your local jewelers and department stores for deals. Whether the diamond is "flawless," "VVS1," "SI," or "I" (top grade to more flawed), you can unearth the finest fit for your price.

 

Sources: gia.edu; americangemsociety.org; idexonline.com; kimberleyprocess.com; amnestyusa.org; diamond-experts.com